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09-06-2008, 12:17 PM
|  | Registered User
Lakland Musical Instruments, Sandberg Guitars | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago | | | REAL Disco Anyone??!!!
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Over the years I have found it a bit discerning that one of the subcatagories of American music that had been very instrumental in bearing the torch for groove oriented soundscapes has been scoffed, torched, and placed on the back burner of musical conversation. Although I can understand that one of my favorite genres of music suffered greatly from over-commercialization and over classification (many pop tunes that indeed were not disco were deemed as such [think ABBA]), I believe that the willingness to subject disco to the dungeon of the music library is a travesty. Many of the negative attitudes attached to the anti-disco movement was non based on just homophobic and/or racial indifference, but I believe it was because many people (rock fans) were afraid to be seen shakin' their groove thangs (or they were angry they lacked the coordination to do so).
REAL disco music was an amalgamation of multiple layers of underground, non pop Americana. It was musical gumbo, if you will, with all of the flavors of the famed Louisiana treat. It based in soul, peppered with funk, had a dash of Afro-Caribean backbeat, a sprinkle of Latin spice, and a handful of spirit from the Black church.
In my mind what happend to disco truley parallels what happened with funk, jazz, soul, and other great forms of urban music (to include Hip-Hop). As a bass player, I find it even more disturbing that some of the stankiest, grimmiest, slick, mack truck sized grooves ever go unheralded.
Take a listen to some of these grooves (completely if you will):
First Choice-Double Cross http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdEOnIQN-YQ
Unlimited Touch-I Hear Music In the Streets http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrRaSDL_FWU
Geore McCrae-I Get Lifted http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfsffF3dwrw
George Duke-Brazillian Love Affair http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK5Bhb6KGq8
George Duke-I Want You For Myself http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unBfb2syL18
Geraldine Hunt-Can't Fake the Feeling http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxuatkyMYa0
Roy Ayers-Running Away http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkoVSEuymTs
Roy Ayers-Love Will bring us back together http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNPR4ty51V8
Roy Ayers-Don't Stop the Feeling http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPmEutGvJZQ
I could go on for hours posting even BETTER examples than these (I just may!). The grooves established on some of these songs fostered nothing less than a syncopated head nod and foot tap of the listener.
I think that it's time that an honest dialogue begins in regards to Disco music. Sure, the clothes were funny, but the self expression had to be one of the greatest this side of Jazz.
__________________
"Support the strong, give courage to the timid, remind the indifferent, and warn the opposed." -Whitney M. Young
"I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."-Fannie Lou Hamer
Last edited by Billy Low : 09-06-2008 at 12:23 PM.
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09-06-2008, 02:34 PM
|  | The Funkfather
Endorsing Artist: Kohlman Bassworks | | Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hampton Roads, Virginia | | | I used to be in a band with several members of Unlimited Touch. Not quite the best example of a great Disco song but at least they played live which, in my opinion, was the true highlight of disco music. When it became all computer generated sequences is when it began to die! A ton of musicians went unemployed because of it and the music suffered greatly!
I have to say that the majority of the above songs weren't specifically written as 'disco' tunes but did get played in some clubs.
Last edited by DWBass : 09-06-2008 at 02:38 PM.
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09-06-2008, 02:38 PM
| | Registered User
Artist:TC Electronic RH450 bass system | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fort Madison, IA | | | A lot of "Rock" players don't like it.....
They can't Do it!
Same with Blues..If you don't take the time to learn it, it "automaticly sucks" in their minds.. |
09-06-2008, 02:54 PM
| | Registered User
Lakland Musical Instruments, Sandberg Guitars | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago | | Quote:
Originally Posted by DWBass  I used to be in a band with several members of Unlimited Touch. Not quite the best example of a great Disco song but at least they played live which, in my opinion, was the true highlight of disco music. When it became all computer generated sequences is when it began to die! A ton of musicians went unemployed because of it and the music suffered greatly!
I have to say that the majority of the above songs weren't specifically written as 'disco' tunes but did get played in some clubs. | My point exactly, most of the heavy hitting songs were featured in the clubs (discos) moreso than the radio, hence the term "disco" music. No, many of the artist were not attempting to play "disco" music that was the commercialized examples that still ring in most peoples head when the name is mentioned, but most of them did put out fine work that was intended on keeping the dance floor packed with booty shakers in the clubs. See the problem that lingers here!!!
I do recall you stating before that you played with members of UT. I did not post what I considered to be some of the best examples because I wasn't sure the newcomer could digest some of the more underground music. Here's an example of a monster 70's soul group hittin' a hard disco groove...
Black Ivory-Mainline http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma4Ox_zAITA
__________________
"Support the strong, give courage to the timid, remind the indifferent, and warn the opposed." -Whitney M. Young
"I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."-Fannie Lou Hamer
Last edited by Billy Low : 09-06-2008 at 02:56 PM.
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09-06-2008, 03:07 PM
| | Registered User
Artist:TC Electronic RH450 bass system | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fort Madison, IA | | | +1 great groovin' bass on that one. |
09-06-2008, 03:21 PM
| | Registered User
Lakland Musical Instruments, Sandberg Guitars | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago | | Check the groove.
Jackson Sisters-I Believe in Miracles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXMuZxzDRvw
__________________
"Support the strong, give courage to the timid, remind the indifferent, and warn the opposed." -Whitney M. Young
"I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."-Fannie Lou Hamer
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09-06-2008, 03:23 PM
| | Registered User
Lakland Musical Instruments, Sandberg Guitars | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago | | Quote:
Originally Posted by John Wentzien +1 great groovin' bass on that one. | 
There's more in store!!! Time for all of us to dig in the crates!!!
(I feel my Afro groing back already)
__________________
"Support the strong, give courage to the timid, remind the indifferent, and warn the opposed." -Whitney M. Young
"I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."-Fannie Lou Hamer
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09-06-2008, 03:23 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Virginia | | | I don't know if you count Michael Jackson's Off the Wall as disco, but I really dig that one.
__________________
What we know as modern music is the noise made by deluded speculators picking through the slagpile.--Henry Pleasants
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09-06-2008, 03:30 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Seattle | | Quote:
Originally Posted by DWBass ...but at least they played live which, in my opinion, was the true highlight of disco music. When it became all computer generated sequences is when it began to die! | +10000
whenI listen to the Bee Gees et al and consider that these cats pulled off that stuff live, I gotta give respect. Technically demanding and harmonically sophisticated compared to rock n roll, for sure. |
09-06-2008, 03:33 PM
| | Registered User
Lakland Musical Instruments, Sandberg Guitars | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottgun I don't know if you count Michael Jackson's Off the Wall as disco, but I really dig that one. | "Get On The Floor" was surely a monster club banger! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA2uMXTHad4
That is, of course, featuring the right thumb of Louis Johnson..
This was toward the end of the era.
__________________
"Support the strong, give courage to the timid, remind the indifferent, and warn the opposed." -Whitney M. Young
"I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."-Fannie Lou Hamer
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09-06-2008, 03:49 PM
| | Registered User
Lakland Musical Instruments, Sandberg Guitars | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago | | Quote:
Originally Posted by DWBass When it became all computer generated sequences is when it began to die! A ton of musicians went unemployed because of it and the music suffered greatly!
| I find myself strangely internally divided on that one. Some of the hottest cuts featured some highly synthesized stuff. Think of the Georgio Morodor and Emuir Deodato stuff that was funky as ever. Here are some synth based cuts that are heaters.
Machine-There But for the Grace of God Go I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAgAp8lI_8Y
Tempest Trio-Do You Like The Way That It Feels http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3gSHcWsXsg
__________________
"Support the strong, give courage to the timid, remind the indifferent, and warn the opposed." -Whitney M. Young
"I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."-Fannie Lou Hamer
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09-06-2008, 03:50 PM
|  | America's Favorite Hot Dog! | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CHI/NWI | | | Great stuff BL! Thanks for the enlightenment. |
09-06-2008, 04:12 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Melnibone | | | It beats rap. |
09-06-2008, 04:22 PM
| | Registered User
Lakland Musical Instruments, Sandberg Guitars | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago | | George Clinton let his ladies funk up the disco scene w/these cuts:
Parlet-Pleasure Principle (please excuse the scratching at the start) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R7ZM20OOt0
Parlet-Ridin High http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SPlkuIwxe
Brides of Funkenstein-Disco to Go http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVZhfnw0Ess
__________________
"Support the strong, give courage to the timid, remind the indifferent, and warn the opposed." -Whitney M. Young
"I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."-Fannie Lou Hamer
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09-06-2008, 04:33 PM
| | Registered User
Lakland Musical Instruments, Sandberg Guitars | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Turock It beats rap. | Oddly enough, this was part of the origin of rap/hip hop! Many of the top rap songs of all time contain samples of some of the very songs I speak of. They even contain samples of some of the examples I've provided. Check my entry this thread on Hip-Hop: Hip Hop bass lines do they really exsist ?
__________________
"Support the strong, give courage to the timid, remind the indifferent, and warn the opposed." -Whitney M. Young
"I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."-Fannie Lou Hamer
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09-06-2008, 04:57 PM
| | Registered User
Lakland Musical Instruments, Sandberg Guitars | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago | | |
__________________
"Support the strong, give courage to the timid, remind the indifferent, and warn the opposed." -Whitney M. Young
"I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."-Fannie Lou Hamer
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09-06-2008, 05:06 PM
| | Registered User
Lakland Musical Instruments, Sandberg Guitars | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago | | Four versions of this song, and THEY ALL KICK BOOTY!!!!!
ALWAYS THERE performed by:
Ronnie Laws (my favorite as an adult, the original recording-jazz funk for sure) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTx6NVkp74o
Side Effect (my favorite as a kid and the most popular version, more of a disco feel) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_nXOdZCB-A
Wood, Brass, and Steel (featuring a very young Doug Wimbish on bass) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xoc9p...watch_response
Willie Bobo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEbBc...eature=related
__________________
"Support the strong, give courage to the timid, remind the indifferent, and warn the opposed." -Whitney M. Young
"I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."-Fannie Lou Hamer
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09-06-2008, 05:14 PM
| | The Funkfather
Endorsing Artist: Kohlman Bassworks | | Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hampton Roads, Virginia | | | That Willie Bobo version is killin'! Seems the most 'disco' like of all the versions. I also like Incognito's version but disco was long gone when theirs came out. |
09-06-2008, 06:05 PM
| | Registered User
Lakland Musical Instruments, Sandberg Guitars | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago | | Quote:
Originally Posted by DWBass That Willie Bobo version is killin'! Seems the most 'disco' like of all the versions. I also like Incognito's version but disco was long gone when theirs came out. | Yeah, I forgot about Incognito's version. Alot of bands such as Incog, Jamiroquai, Everything But the Girl, The Brand New Heavies, The Rebirth owe alot of their sound to the unsung heroes of the disco era.
That Willie Bobo version had more of the Afro-Caribe/Latin tinge to it with the dominant percussion taking root. He kills those timbales!
__________________
"Support the strong, give courage to the timid, remind the indifferent, and warn the opposed." -Whitney M. Young
"I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."-Fannie Lou Hamer
Last edited by Billy Low : 09-06-2008 at 06:08 PM.
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09-06-2008, 06:21 PM
| | Registered User
Lakland Musical Instruments, Sandberg Guitars | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago | | The Godfather got into the act with this gem:
James Brown-I'm Satisfied http://www.imeem.com/people/C0FSZG/m..._im_satisfied/
__________________
"Support the strong, give courage to the timid, remind the indifferent, and warn the opposed." -Whitney M. Young
"I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."-Fannie Lou Hamer
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